Ben Said:

How many years do you have to go to school to be a pediatric physical therapist?

We Answered:

To become a pediatric PT, the education is the same as a "general" PT...it typically takes 6-7 years of education and results in either a master's or doctorate degree.

However, there is also an advanced certification endorsed by the APTA that you can persue if you really want to focus in pediatrics, but this is something you do after graduating.

PT is highly patient interactive and you will spend a great deal of time talking, teaching and getting to know your patients.

Stacey Said:

Years of medical school to become a pediatric physical therapist?

We Answered:

I am a pediatric PT. You go to school for 6-7 years. The programs are generalist programs. You learn all of the specialties. If you are interested in Peds then you would definitely do at least one pediatric internship. You would also focus your research in peds. Once you get out you will take continuing education course in your area of interst. After a few years, you may want to take the PCS exam to prove your are a pediatric clinical specialist.

Good Luck

www,apta.org

Shelly Said:

can you go to school and get a 4 year degree and then go to a different school entering the physical therapist?

We Answered:

Yes to your question, you can go to the same school or a different school


Currently, you can get either a entry level masters degree in PT or you can get a DPT, a clinical doctorate. By 2020, all programs have to become DPT programs. Most schools have already switched over.

Colleges either offer a 3+3 program (start there as a freshman, take 3 years of pre req and then begin the PT program year 4) or you can get a BS and then go to PT school for 3 years. So if you pick the latter, you spend an extra year in school and extra money.

If you find a MS program. It is the same thing it is either a 3+2 for 5 years or a BS plus 2 years.


Anything you pick will allow you to get licenses as long as you go to an accredited PT program.

Email me if you have further questions

Isaac Said:

What classes should i take in high school if i wanna be an athletic trainer or physical therapist assistant?

We Answered:

HS courses are fairly structured by the government ... but if available taking an anatomy & physiology course won't hurt.

Jeffery Said:

Do you need to go to med. school to be a physical therapist?

We Answered:

No, you do not have to attend med school. However, it is a post-baccelaureate degree in the US which now results in either a master's or doctorate level degree. You will not have to take the MCAT for admission, but will probably have to take the GRE.

Your undergraduate major can be anything you wish...just as long as you've met the prerequisite requirements for the program you wish to attend. If your university does not offer it, you can go to http://www.apta.org and go to the education programs section for a listing by state. You can then click on the school of your choice to examine what are the prerequisite requirements by going to the school's website. Most students base their major on something that will incorperate those classes (which tends to be a lot of chemistry, physics, biology, psychology and math); many choose kinesiology, movement sciences, etc. Some schools even offer a "pre-physical therapy major."

Not all universities offer physical therapy as a major, but it is usually offered at larger universities.

Annie Said:

is physical therapist assistant school hard?

We Answered:

It will require a lot of studying and memorization but as long as you are up for that you should do just fine. I would take an anatomy/physiology class to start with if you want to get a good idea if you want to continue.